2006 Gaming Drought/Funk

[Adamski47]

I am willing to bet that I am in a similar situation as some of my fellow FOFCers in regards to gaming this year/season/quarter. I know I've seen some other posts similar to this but I wanted to create one for myself.

I anxiously awaited OOTP 2006. The game is being fixed but it's currently a mess. I awaited Head Coach...has promise but I can't believe I have to mess with sliders that weren't even suppose to be there to begin with. Another mess. I do not have a console system of any kind. I have off work all summer long and I need some kind of gaming experience. I have plenty of other hobbies and interests to keep me busy but as far as gaming goes this is the low of all lows. I'd love a new game from Jim but I can't spend my summer checking this forum day and night in hopes of a new game lol!

I primarily play sports games. I love sport sims but if I can find a game that has graphics and plays great, terrific! How is NCAA and Madden looking this year for XBOX 360? I've refrained from reading about them to avoid getting my hopes up. Should I buy a 360, or wait for a PS3? Will OOTP 2006 be playable? Will Jim release another game? Arlie Rahn's pro football game was good but needed a new version to iron out some of the problems. What's the latest there? I dunno, not a big deal but I'd love to hear some opinions. Thanks guys.

[st.cronin]

This summer I have been playing WWSM, and Silent Hunter 3, a submarine sim. Both are excellent games.

[Adamski47]

WWSM, is that World Wide Soccer Manager? Is that the same thing as the SI game? What is their latest game anyway...it keeps changing names? I've heard GREAAAAAT things about that game, but it's soccer which I'm not a huge or educated fan for. Is it easy to get over the fact that it's a game about a sport I know very little depth about? I know sports but, I'm Americanized you know? I was hoping OOTP 2006 would be the baseball version of this (werent we all?). I'd also love a football version...FOF is great but I just have a feeling Jim's next game may be on the horizon and I'd hate to jump into a career just to start over.

[WSUCougar]

Give PureSim 2007 a try for $14.99.

Or TCB (Total College Basketball).

[st.cronin]

WWSM, is that World Wide Soccer Manager? Is that the same thing as the SI game? What is their latest game anyway...it keeps changing names? I've heard GREAAAAAT things about that game, but it's soccer which I'm not a huge or educated fan for. Is it easy to get over the fact that it's a game about a sport I know very little depth about? I know sports but, I'm Americanized you know? I was hoping OOTP 2006 would be the baseball version of this (werent we all?). I'd also love a football version...FOF is great but I just have a feeling Jim's next game may be on the horizon and I'd hate to jump into a career just to start over.

WWSM is the american title for SI's Football Manager. When I started playing the game, I didn't know how many players were on a side. But it's a very good game, and it really draws you in. I found it fairly easy to figure out what I was doing, and there's tons of threads on this board with gameplay tips.

[path12]

Ditto on the Pure Sim recommendation. As for WWSM, there is a learning curve no doubt, but if you get through that it's the deepest sim around IMO.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I am still playing EHM 2005.

Back in 2004, I bought Football Manager 2005. I have yet to open it. I got it right around when I got married, my computer died, and I was moving back to the U.S. I think started in on the first EHM and between EHM and EHM 2005 and general life business I never opened FM 2005 and never bought '06.

I have next week off, so I am debating between continuing my EHM game or finaly giving FM 2005 a shot. I played all the Champ Man games (to death) from 01/02 onward.

So, to join in on the thread...

Is FM 2005 worth playing? Is it a solid game or should I just sit back and wait for '07 to come out later this year?

[WSUCougar]

Is FM 2005 worth playing? Is it a solid game or should I just sit back and wait for '07 to come out later this year?
Very solid and worth playing. PM sent.

[CraigSca]

I just got an XBOX 360 - the major reason is to be able to play next-gen NCAA 2007. I just got FIFA World Cup for it yesterday and had a blast playing in cooperative mode with my neighbor (we both stink).

I guess it depends on the cash you have - but I got the XBOX 360 because I was tired of waiting for the PS3 (as well as it's greater asking price). Being a shill for NCAA, I couldn't wait until NEXT year to see it on one of the next gens. To each his own...

[Marc Vaughan]

Is FM 2005 worth playing? Is it a solid game or should I just sit back and wait for '07 to come out later this year?
I'm somewhat biased - but yeah its a very solid game :D

(although FM2006 is much better imho and there's still a good while before FM2007 comes out ...)

[Adamski47]

I think I may finally bite on the WWFM. When is the new game coming out? Am I better to wait or is this something that wont be out for months?

Also, how is the X-box 360 version of this? My brain is telling me to go PC but the 360 option is sort of interesting.

[duckman]

I've been playing Dynasty Mode on NCAA Football 2004 (didn't care for 2006). I found some house rules for recruiting and it has been a lot of fun for me. It'll pass the time until the next FOF comes out. :)

[SirFozzie]

The next Football Manager/Worldwide Soccer Manager game will be out according to SI around Christmas time

[illinifan999]

Very solid and worth playing. PM sent.

ditto, i'm still playing it. the game is so immersive.

[TroyF]

Add anothher for WWSM. I'm playing a lot of OOTP and Pure Sim.

[moriarty]

Someone (a little farther down this page) is offering up FM2005 for free. It's an earlier version of WWSM, but quite solid as others have noted. It has the English version of terms, but otherwise similar to the US version.

Personally, I would grab it (if it's free), try it out and give yourself about 6 months of game time to get familiar - ask plenty of questions on this board and peruse the threads. If you find you like it, either upgrade to WWSM 2006 or wait until January for the new version.

[AlexB]

Ditto on the Pure Sim recommendation. As for WWSM, there is a learning curve no doubt, but if you get through that it's the deepest sim around IMO.

How would you compare PureSim to FM, bearing in mind my knowledge of baseball is as low as many of the people on this board who tried FM for the first time?

[moriarty]

How would you compare PureSim to FM, bearing in mind my knowledge of baseball is as low as many of the people on this board who tried FM for the first time?

I would compare PureSim more to FOF. It's not as deep as FM (player interactions etc.) but it's fun from a simulation / mgt standpoint. Plus Shaun keeps improving it and if you get it for $14.99 it's worth it (if you like baseball).

[kingnebwsu]

I've been messing with a few games on my 360, but this is a slow time. Summertime+console transition year=bring me football season.

NCAA could be cool this year, but we'll see how it goes. It's a great game if there are no gamebreaking problems with it (aka 2 years ago, me and sack played online and our QB's combined for a 15% completion rate).

I'm looking forward to Phantasy Star Universe and Rainbow Six Vegas this fall. Hope you find something good :)

[path12]

I would compare PureSim more to FOF. It's not as deep as FM (player interactions etc.) but it's fun from a simulation / mgt standpoint. Plus Shaun keeps improving it and if you get it for $14.99 it's worth it (if you like baseball).

I think this is a pretty good comparison. I've always played FOF as a total GM simulator -- I have no/very little interest in the playcalling/game plan aspects of the game.

Strictly from a GM aspect then, PureSim is much the same as FOF. I haven't gone into the game management aspect, but as a manager setting up a lineup/pitching rotation and trying to find new talent/develop young talent I've had quite a good time with it. If you're not that familiar with baseball there will certainly be a learning curve, but I don't think it would be insurmountable by any stretch.

Of course, it does not have the depth or immersive factor of FM (which is actually the only sports sim where I DO get into the match tactics), but really, what does?

[rkmsuf]

try girls

[AlexB]

try girls

What, as an add on to the Sims?

[moriarty]

try girls

I don't seem to get realistic results. But hey, at least the user interface is nice.

[bbor]

But hey, at least the user interface is nice.

But not always user freindly.

[moriarty]

But not always user freindly.

Joystick compatible though ... ahh, I'm done. :p

[sovereignstar]

how the ai? are blowjobs given on a realistic basis? in real life blowjobs don't happen all the time.

[twothree]

try girls

And before jbmagic asks... Yes, the AI is known to have a few problems, and can make some erratic desicions.

[Young Drachma]

I understand the gaming drought. I was interested in WWSM/FM, but I guess I have to buy it online or from a store because there is no digital license of that game? That usually impedes my impluse trigger finger a bit.
But it does look really good and probably would be pretty neat to try something else. EHM 2005 is really immersive and I like hockey..but not as much as I dig baseball and EHM really captivated me for a good few months.

[WSUCougar]

And before jbmagic asks... Yes, the AI is known to have a few problems, and can make some erratic desicions.
And no, there's no "super tactic."

[Arles]

Just a quick comment on my progress. I am working on a pro football game but there are some things with Bowl Bound I plan to do before releasing the pro game.

[WSUCougar]

but there are some things with Bowl Bound I plan to do before releasing the pro game.
Tease

[rowech]

No kidding tease....what kind of date are we looking at?

[Arles]

I am working on it now, but there's still some work left. All I am willing to say is it will be free to existing BBCF owners and add some new features (in addition to some bug fixes). More will be released as I get closer. ;)

[moriarty]

And no, there's no "super tactic."

What about Cocky and Funny?

[Oilers9911]

Off the beaten path a little bit, you could try New Star Soccer from New Star Games. I keep finding myself playing just one more game. I am currently vakued at 6,000,000 and was transferred to Dortmund of the German Bundesliga.

www.newstarsoccer.com

[Raiders Army]

Hollywood Mogul 3 should be coming out within the next few weeks.

Also, I just picked up the data transfer kit at Best Buy for $15 in preparation for NCAA 2007 so I can have named players...unfortunately, I also had to buy a memory card for $40. doh.

[path12]

Hollywood Mogul 3 should be coming out within the next few weeks.

Really? Man, that's good news -- I played the hell out of the first two. I figured the update was vaporware.........and I was kind of sorry he never got around to the television module.

[Ben E Lou]

In the (limited lately) gaming time I've had, I've been playing FOF2K4, BBCF and Civ4 mainly. I'd been planning to pick up PureSim for a while once time started to open up for me, which it now has. I'll definitely be purchasing it this weekend.

[MizzouRah]

OOTP 6.51 is still seeing major gaming time from me, warts and all. I've finally been able to get into EHM somewhat, if not to see how my last place Blues will do in the future.

I'm itching for college football to start, and I'm really excited to get back into BBCF this year. As much as I want a console game to grab me, I'm not wanting NCAA 2007 much at all... even though I'm still interested in reading thoughts when it's released.

Heck, as much as I want to see the next version of FOF, a TCY 2 would also be a welcome.

[Raiders Army]

Really? Man, that's good news -- I played the hell out of the first two. I figured the update was vaporware.........and I was kind of sorry he never got around to the television module.
http://p068.ezboard.com/fhollywoodmogulsfrm13

The price is $29.99 for non-boardmembers. Also, the boardmembers will get the game earlier than non-boardmembers.

[miami_fan]

I have been spending most of my gaming time between TPB2005 and TCB

[stevew]

http://p068.ezboard.com/fhollywoodmogulsfrm13

The price is $29.99 for non-boardmembers. Also, the boardmembers will get the game earlier than non-boardmembers.
I'll check it out/wait for your impressions. I never had 2, but i played the hell out of a copy of 1.

[Franklinnoble]

IMO, you're nuts if you don't buy PureSim at the current sale price. It's a steal.

[cubboyroy1826]

I would agree Puresim for half price is a steal. I am still playing a lot of OOTP6.5 also and pretending that new game still hasnt been released (already bought anyways). I would also say WWSM would be great if you have some time to get used to it. Be prepared to lose large blocks of time.

[riz]

EHM 2005 is really immersive and I like hockey..but not as much as I dig baseball and EHM really captivated me for a good few months.

Hopefully we'll be able to offer even more enjoyment with EHM 2007 :)

Yeah, I know. News should have been out last month, last week, this week, next week....sorry guys. I've no control over the press release launches and it does do my head in as well when we cannot talk about the new features because they haven't been announced yet. Oh well...back to coding it is for me.

[st.cronin]

Hopefully we'll be able to offer even more enjoyment with EHM 2007 :)

Yeah, I know. News should have been out last month, last week, this week, next week....sorry guys. I've no control over the press release launches and it does do my head in as well when we cannot talk about the new features because they haven't been announced yet. Oh well...back to coding it is for me.

Make sure you put in some keyboard shortcuts, please.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Hopefully we'll be able to offer even more enjoyment with EHM 2007 :)

Yeah, I know. News should have been out last month, last week, this week, next week....sorry guys. I've no control over the press release launches and it does do my head in as well when we cannot talk about the new features because they haven't been announced yet. Oh well...back to coding it is for me.

Who is in control? Give us names, Riz. Names. We'll take care of this for you. I have contacts in England. I can get this done.

[MizzouRah]

Is there any plans for a smooth flowing game riz.. ala FM 2006?

[Grammaticus]

Just a quick comment on my progress. I am working on a pro football game but there are some things with Bowl Bound I plan to do before releasing the pro game.
Are you adding Cheerleaders?

[Grammaticus]

Is WWSM and FM the same game? I mean if you are buying one, which one is better? I've been hearing so much about FM, I just might have to get this.

[MizzouRah]

I am working on it now, but there's still some work left. All I am willing to say is it will be free to existing BBCF owners and add some new features (in addition to some bug fixes). More will be released as I get closer. ;)

Can't wait as the college football season gets closer!!

[path12]

Is WWSM and FM the same game? I mean if you are buying one, which one is better? I've been hearing so much about FM, I just might have to get this.

WWSM is the American release of FM, so yes, they are the same game.

[ahbrady]

Are you adding Cheerleaders?

I hope he's adding teleporting defenders and beer tents.

[AgustusM]

I am in much the some boat.

OOTP and Head Coach were two titles that I had great anticipation for and even greater disappointment. at the moment I am back to playing Madden and thinking about firing up another FOF career if I can get my hands on a decent roster file.

Also, this thread is a perfect example of why I still come to this site every day.

Prior to reading this thread I had no idea that:

HM3 was about to launch - I played the hell out of the first two, but it seems like the launch date for this was 2002,2003,2004,2005,2006 - so I forgot about it. I still will believe it when I see it, but I am excited to hear it is supposedly so close

even better news that Arles is working on a Pro Game - although it is odd to me that I check Grey Dog web site frequently and hear nothing about it, but I come here and learn about!?!?! still good news all the same, can't wait to play it.

[Karim]

I've been playing Civ4 but mostly WWSM 2006 for the past year. The other night I tried to reload a game of EHM 2005 and it just didn't cut it anymore after playing WWSM which is quite a few generations ahead of EHM. I haven't touched FOF since 2004.

[Chief Rum]

Off the beaten path a little bit, you could try New Star Soccer from New Star Games. I keep finding myself playing just one more game. I am currently vakued at 6,000,000 and was transferred to Dortmund of the German Bundesliga.

www.newstarsoccer.com

Heh heh I might give that a shot, as much for the off-pitch stuff as on. How does all that translate? Pretty good?

I am thinking that game would make for an excellent dynasty.

[Raiders Army]

HM3 was about to launch - I played the hell out of the first two, but it seems like the launch date for this was 2002,2003,2004,2005,2006 - so I forgot about it. I still will believe it when I see it, but I am excited to hear it is supposedly so close
From the HM3 Message Boards:

Here's one of the reasons it's taking longer than I thought to get the game finished and out to you:

I keep changing things and adding things.

For example, three weeks ago, I talked to one of my movie star friends and based on that conversation decided that Sequel Contracts would be handled automatically by HM3 and they would have Minimums and Salary Bonuses, etc, built into the Sequel Contract.

But this caused a little bump in the road, because of the way Hiring Talent is handled, in that you can't hire the talent and then not Start Pre-Production right away ... the talent loses faith in you and MIGHT leave the project to pursue another movie at another studio (or else you could simply tie up the best talent in the game by hiring them but never actually making your movie). But with the talent now automatically attached to a Sequel ... and because of the way writing is handled in HM3, you have a "Sequel" with a first draft screenplay to be written, and the writing of it may take as much as 20 months. So obviously the talent are attached, but not really "attached" yet, since their "work" for your Sequel Movie is at least 2 years out, and during that time they CAN be hired by other studios.

So there's no way to really know when the sequel screenplay will be done, but when it is done you give the movie a Greenlight, and then HM3 goes out to see if all of the "attached" talent are now available. If they are, fine. If they're not, it has to decide when everyone IS available and then reschedule the Production Schedule based on when everyone can show up on the set at the same time.

Meanwhile, sequels is only part of the problem, because in HM3 I wanted you to be able to hire your favorite movie star even if they're already working somewhere else, so if John Doe is the best actor in Hollywood and you want him in your movie, but he's currently working on a movie project at another studio, then you can hire him for AFTER he's done working at that other studio. Even if it's 16 months from now. And once again, HM3 automatically reshuffles the Production Schedule.

Keep in mind that while all this is going on, sometimes the Talent DIES, which creates its own problems.

All of this is easy to describe with words, but writing it in BUGLESS code has proven to be DIFFICULT (for me, anyway). And adding Sequel Contracts has made me realize (just last night, July 1) that I have to rewrite ALL of the routines that handle Hiring Talent to make then in-sync with the sequel contracts, rather than try to jimmy-rig the current routines to accept the "problems" created by sequels.

And thus I find myself two weeks behind, reshuffling my own Production Schedule. Still, I think ... SUMMER 2006.

[AgustusM]

From the HM3 Message Boards:
Still, I think ... SUMMER 2006.


Unlike Max Football or whatever it was called, at least this game has a history of actually releasing some pretty decent products. But this sucker has been delayed so much - I have zero expectations we will see it this year, if we do -great. But I am not going to hold my breath.

[Adamski47]

giving this a bump...

I wouldn't mind finding a new game that sort of resembles the old Shadowrun games for Genesis and/or SNES. Also, a game called Rise of the Dragon for Sega CD (of all systems) was a fun game as well.

Basically, all three of these games had to do with the future and future tech etc. I'm not looking for 3 armed aliens or anything, but something realistically conceivable.

Maybe I'll just reinstall Civ4 or Pirates!

[rkmsuf]

have you tried girls yet?

[Adamski47]

have you tried girls yet?

13,7777 posts and you're asking me that question? I'm doing fine with the women. How long until you upload me a picture of your gf/wife?

Can't wait!

[vtbub]

have you tried girls yet?

My PC said my drivers for using Sexual Nerves was outdated and I needed Directx11.2 to render anything in lifelike quality.

[rkmsuf]

13,7777 posts and you're asking me that question? I'm doing fine with the women. How long until you upload me a picture of your gf/wife?

Can't wait!

Sorry, I mistook you bumping an I'm bored thread with extreme sexual frustration.

[Adamski47]

Sorry, I mistook you bumping an I'm bored thread with extreme sexual frustration.

I know this is at least a little bit sarcastic, which is fine; I really don't care. Appology accepted regardless. I really enjoy this board especially for questions about gaming, which, like you I'm assuming, is a hobby to me, and I get tired of all of the wise cracks by some of the long time board members to people who aren't "in the loop." Forgive me if I have other friends that I talk to more than a community message board. I'm not knocking anyone who relies heavily on this community for support or whatever, that's terrific, just don't knock me for being on the outside looking in; that's right where I want to be. I love this place, but get frustrated when it begins to annoy me with some of the antics. I enjoy good humor as well, and am constantely laughing at some of the topics and discussions that go on inside this community but I think sometimes people take it too far. Am I overreacting here, in this instance probably. But this thread gets the vent as it has happened numerous times.

I'm not trying to be "right" or anything, just saying my piece. Thanks for the continued advice.

[rkmsuf]

dude, you really need to get laid.:D

[General Mike]

nevermind.

[General Mike]

Dola, I finally found my copy of Castlevania: SotN last night, so it's time to fire that bad boy up. Probably my #1 game of all time, and definitely my top PS1 game ever.

[Subby]

dude, you really need to get laid.:DWord.